Vancity is the first financial institution in Canada to offer open mortgages.

‍

Vancity is the first financial institution in Canada to provide mortgages to women without a male co-signer. At the time, even if a woman had an income, banks deemed it too risky to provide any loans, let alone mortgages, to women.

Vancity introduces Plan 24 - the first daily interest savings account in Canada which provides a fairer and more accurate way to pay and charge interest. The account model takes off helping credit unions prosper over the next decade.

BC Unity Credit Union (BCUCU), the first credit union to serve the Black community in Vancouver, merges with Vancity.

Vancity joins the first international ATM network (The Exchange) and becomes the first financial institution to offer tax preparation service to its regular members.

Vancity is the first full-service financial institution to offer its own socially-responsible mutual funds - the Vancity Circadian Funds.

Vancity offers Canada's first socially responsible mutual fund, the Ethical Growth Fund.

Vancity is the first Canadian financial institution to offer a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP).

Vancity members establish the Vancity Community Foundation, a co-operative version of philanthropy.

First in Canada to give 5% of its credit card profits towards local environmental projects. By 2023, Vancity enviroFund™ has given over $14 million in grants to BC organizations.

Vancity offers the first Community Investment Deposit in Canada, providing 1% below normal interest rates which is then passed on to finance community projects.

Vancity members voted to award the first annual $1-million Vancity Award to Better Environmentally Sound Transportation (BEST) to build the Central Valley Greenway—a 24-kilometre pedestrian and cyclist route to run from New Westminster to Vancouver.

Vancity is the first Canadian financial institution to market to the gay and lesbian community through mainstream advertising.

‍

Vancity is the first in Canada to offer specialized financing for energy efficient home renovations through the introduction of Vancity's Bright Ideas Home Financing.

Vancity receives the Best Practices Award from the American Psychological Association for healthy workplaces—a first for any Canadian company.

Vancity is the first financial institution in North America to win a Ceres-ACCA North American Sustainability Reporting Award for its environmental, social and financial sustainability reporting.

Vancity achieves carbon neutrality; a first for a North American-based financial institution. Through a rigorous emissions reduction program, Vancity reaches this goal two years earlier than planned.

Vancity is the first credit union in Canada to participate in the First Nations Market Housing Fund, which facilitates and broadens the range of housing options for residents of First Nations communities.

Vancity becomes the largest organization in Canada to adopt the Living Wage policy of paying employees and service providers a wage that meets their basic living needs.

Vancity becomes the first financial institution in Canada to recognize a First Nation as a government for lending purposes.

Vancity becomes a founding partner of Reconciliation Canada in support of Indigenous communities and the process of reconciliation.

‍

Vancity provides a capital grant and pre-development loan to build the Immigrant Services Society of BC (ISSofBC) Welcome Centre, the world's first integrated housing and settlement support services hub for newcomers and refugees.

Vancity launches the Fair and Fast Loan, a sustainable alternative to a payday lender. The loan offers a manageable rate, more flexible payback schedule, and eligibility based on your income—not your credit score.

Vancity opens the Cormorant Island Community Branch; a partnership with the ‘Namgis First Nation and the Village of Alert Bay.

Reconciliation becomes a core value at Vancity, with a commitment to ensure equitable access to opportunities and build meaningful relationships with Indigenous partners.

Vancity partners with the Government of Canada on the Affordable Housing Innovation Fund to provide financing for new affordable rental housing developments.

Vancity signs the GABV Climate Change Commitment pledging to measure and disclose the carbon impact of our loans and investments.

Vancity joins the 50-30 Challenge, a federal initiative to strengthen diversity in corporate leadership in Canada. We aim to exceed this target by having a senior leadership team where at least 40% identify as BIPOC, LGBTQ2S+ and people living with disabilities by 2025.

Vancity was the first Canadian financial institution to join the UN's Collective Commitment to Climate Action and becomes North America's representative on the Board overseeing the implementation of the Principles.

Vancity responds to the COVID pandemic by cutting credit card interest rates to 0%.

Pigeon Park Savings becomes the only bank in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside to remain open during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.

Vancity offers the Black Entrepreneurship Program, in partnership with the Federation of African Canadian Economics (FACE), to provide Black business owners and entrepreneurs with barrier-free access to business funding, tailored advice, and more.

Vancity sets ambitious climate commitments, including achieving net-zero by 2040 across all its mortgages and loans.

Vancity Community Investment Bank partners with the Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation to refinance the second-largest wind farm in Ontario.

Vancity is the first Canadian financial institution to set reduction targets for financed emissions under the guidelines of the UN Net Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA).

Vancity is the first in Canada to offer credit card holders the option to estimate the carbon footprint that comes from their purchases.

Vancity Community Investment Bank (VCIB) finances the world’s largest wastewater energy transfer project to supply renewable energy to Toronto Western Hospital.

Created with guidance from Elders and our Indigenous colleagues, Vancity develops Wealth Mindset - an Indigenous taught and led financial education workshop that builds financial skills and celebrates Indigenous resilience.

Vancity commits to the Partnership Accreditation in Indigenous Relations (PAIR) certification program by the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business.

Vancity Investment Management (VCIM) commits to reach net-zero by 2040 in its portfolio coverage.

Vancity announced a Financial Health & Inclusion target: To increase the percentage of members who feel confident about successfully managing their financial situation from 74% in 2023 to 80% by 2030.